Written by Joan Greening, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by Phil Diment
One big cover-up — that's "The Continental Quilt", But there was no hiding the multiple talents of the Medstead Players in a slick production of Joan Greening's comedy.
Farce, they say, is instantly recognisable by a profusion of nightwear and an extraordinary high number of doors. On both counts, " The Continental Quilt" qualifies comfortably!
By the end of a thoroughly inconsequential and improbable plot, every member of the cast is ready for bed, having negotiated at least five of the six doors in the set. Needless to say, that kind of performance takes energy and stamina and the Medstead Players certainly have no shortage of that.
John Gregory, as the smooth Mike Feather, in his capacious bachelor pad, handles the tedious door opening, door shutting, rhyme-time repartee with natural ease, taking all the comings and goings in his stride.
With a twinkle in his eye, Ron Whitcher plays the errant brother, Richard, as unsettled in marriage as Mike is out of it and with twice as many problems.
The confusion begins when his wife, Marion, arrogant, accusing and scheming, turns to Mike for help, unaware that her unfaithful husband is already in the flat.
With the scantily-clad Gloria (Maggie Hillyer) also sharing the accommodation, Mrs.Feather (Lyn Evans), Mike and Richard's vest approving mother, is in for a few surprises when she also turns up looking for a bed.
Of course, Mike can't say no and he shoehorns her in, followed by "old flame" Julia (Sara Cook) and his father, Henry (Stun Whitcher), who soon makes himself at home with the booze and the birds.
But no one could leave the neighbours out of a plot like this and that's where Priscilla Plankton (Pam Kercher), fidgety, frustrated and approaching 40, and the eccentric Humbert Carpington (Matthew Parratt) come in.
This was Medstead's first effort at farce and producer Sue Walker and director Phil Diment had a razor-sharp script to work with: the cast certainly did not let them down with crisp, well-timed delivery—the essential ingredient of comedy,
Dick Smith and Peter Prior made the set and everyone of those doors worked perfectly!
The action takes place in the lounge of Michael Feather's three-bedroomed flat.
Cast:
Michael Feather - John Gregory
Richard Feather - Ron Whitcher
Gloria Grant - Maggie Hillyer
Marion Feather - Katherine Reader
Elizabeth Feather - Lyn Evans
Priscilla Plankton - Pam Kercher
Humbert Carpington - Matthew Parratt
Julia Jones - Sara Cook
Angela Leyton - Lygia Winter
Herry Feather - Stan Whitcher
